Trigger warning for sexual harassment.

Today had just not been a good day. The hungover he felt had made him sick all morning. And Nadir had been quite irritated with him. He knew that it was quite rude to essentially break and enter.

He would have to begrudgingly apologize. It was his pride that got in his way sometimes. His reasoning was that he couldn't be held accountable because he was under the influence of alcohol.

"Dargoa we need to talk," he pleaded.

"Erik, I really don't have time now." Nadir stalled.

"Please listen." His foul mood did not help Erik's own temper.

"No Erik. I'm not going to listen, you acted like a complete child. Both of you did. I don't know why you keep sneaking in but it is getting quite old. I could excuse it if you were younger. But you are a grown man."

"I was going to apologize nadir. But I understand." He spun on his heel. His ego was slightly bruised. Nadir did not follow.

Now that he was pacing down the hall, he had decided to stay away from everyone. He felt like he could go off on anyone, a ticking time bomb of anger, and nothing would be able to dissipate it.

Right as he turned into the foyer of the house he saw someone exit silently through the doors. Brown hair poked through her head scarf. It was Isa. He followed her out of the property, and down the road.

He slowly caught up with her, the amazing idea crossed his mind to scare her. And in doing so he got a right hook into the left arm. Which made him grunt in pain and also mute his laughter.

"Erik you ass!" She held a hand to her chest. " what were you doing?"

"I should be asking you that. Why did you sneak out alone? It's not safe." He playfully mocked.

She at least had some sense to act a little sheepish to his comment. "I just wanted to go to the market. I wanted out of the house."

"You could have asked someone to go with you at least."

"You're not my keeper," She responded, and at seeing his mouth form a thin line, she relented and explained herself. "Nadir was busy and I wasn't going to bother anyone into going with me."

"Oh yes you are absolutely a bother to me." His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Isa immediately rolled her eyes. "At least I won't be alone." She smiled, and at that his eyes lit up with an emotion she had ever seen so rarely. She couldn't tell if it was delight or pleasure.

—

Isa was finishing cleaning her fathers wounds of dried blood. Then she got Andrei to sit up. She slowly fed him soup and water. He was seemingly incoherent the entire time he was awake. But she could pick out some of the words he said. She could hear her mothers name on his breath.

A guard was made to keep watch over her as she did so. Isa avoided and ignored him. But could feel his eyes on her. And when she did look at him. He had a hungry look in his eyes.

This ravenous look scared her more than anything. She had seen it so many times. The gray dress was modest but it didn't seem to stop him from staring. That uneasy feeling grew in her stomach. She suddenly remembered why she dressed as a man. The added stealth helped her with safety.

"How old are you dear?"

"Don't call me dear." She responded stiffly.

"Oh please. I just want to know" A smirk crept on his lips.

"I'm twenty seven. Please leave me alone." She knew he wouldn't listen.

"Hm. You look younger than that." He stated. He got up from where he was leaning on the wall. And stood directly behind her. Feeling fingers at either of her sides.

She knew the worst possible thing to do was to freeze. So she moved out of his reach. Placing her back against a wall. She dress had no crinoline, so nothing solid was going to keep him a safe distance away

"I'm done now, I would like to go back down stairs." She requested. Her heart jumped in her throat.

"Well I'm not. There's no reason to not be so frigid." His tone was like he was gently scolding a child. Now facing him he was moderately taller than her. His skin was pale and had shaven blonde hair. His frame was that on the bigger end. He made slow steps toward Isa. Brushing back some hair out of her eyes to get a better look. Isa had to remind herself not to freeze with fear. She backed up towards the door.

"Please don't do this."

"You know, if you let me have you then I can get you out." She did not like the look in his eyes. "It will be just for a night. Not really a night even. Just an hour or two that's all." His voice was sickeningly sweet.

"Go to hell." She whispered, her anger rising.

He chuckled. "Fine then. But the offer will still stand, doll. I can wait."

Isa immediately wanted to vomit at his words. Both exchanged no words to each other as she was let back into the cellar.

The moment she was in, she fought the need to scream out of anger. A few tears slipped from her eyes.

"What is it now, Isa?"

"Just shut up." she had placed her forearm over her eyes to stop from crying as she sat down against a wall.

"I'm serious, what the matter?" He gingerly stood up and moved towards her. Sitting next to her. Lifting a hand to remove the one covering her eyes.

"Please stop." She begged on the verge of sobbing. He dropped his hand in his lap. A defeated look crossed his face.

She felt humiliated.

"Talk to me please." His voice was softer. He made sure it did not sound like a command. "I need you to talk to me." He brought up a hand to hers that was placed over her eyes. Gently pulling it down to look at her.

"The guard made a.. Proposal. For my freedom."

"What did-" Oh god. He immediately stopped touching her hand, his touch was probably the last thing she wanted right now.

"Take a wild guess Erik." She snapped.

Anger rose in his chest again. "Did he touch you."

"No, he did not. He backed me into a corner though."

"That fucking pig-"

"It's fine, I'm just a little shaken, it was the guard that accompanied Angelique." She pulled her knees to her chest holding them close. "Are you alright?"

He looked down. "I could be better, if I was anywhere but here."

She could only silently agree.

"You never answered my question from last night. Why did you come back for me?"

"Erik, stop acting like that." She groaned.

"Just answer it."

"You act like all of humanity despises you."

"You said you did."

"Oh my lord, I don't, you're insufferable to be around. But you deserve a life and peace." She bit back. Looking straight at him. Unmasked.

Both remained silent. Tears slid down her face, "Andrei is alive. I'm helping him recover."

"Yes I know." His tone is flat.

"Erik, I'm sorry." She said quietly.

He shook his head. "For what Isa?"

"For the fact we may never get out of here. For the way I left. What I said. I was angry, Erik. With everyone." He didn't want to listen. Erik inside pulled her up with him and laid her down on the bed. He sat down next to her. She grasped his hand, holding it as a sort of comfort.